STIs: Genital Herpes,Warts – STI/STD Symptoms [Video Inc.]

STIs: Genital Herpes,Warts

The term sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) refers to many diseases and the number keeps expanding with the discovery of newer pathogens (e.g., HIV) or a new route of acquisition of a known pathogen (e.g., hepatitis C).

STI’s (SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS)

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are infections that spread from one person to another through any type of sexual contact. Having an STI means that an individual has an infection, but that it has not yet developed into a disease. So the sexually transmitted virus or bacteria can be described as creating “infection,” which may or may not result in “disease.”This is true of chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, and human papillomavirus (HPV), to name a few STI’s.

HIV is an infection with the human immunodeficiency virus. HIV interferes with your body’s ability to fight off viruses, bacteria and fungi that cause illness, and it can lead to AIDS, a chronic, life-threatening sexually transmitted disease.

STD’S (SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES)

Sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs (sometimes called sexually transmitted disease, or STDs) affect people of all ages, backgrounds, and from all walks of life. In the U.S. alone there are approximately 20 million new cases each year, about half of which occur among youth ages 15-24 years. The concept of “disease,” as in STD, suggests a clear medical problem, usually some obvious signs or symptoms.

The term “venereal disease” is much less used today, while “sexually transmitted diseases” is slowly giving way to “sexually transmitted infections”, because the last term has a broader range of meaning – a person can pass on the infection without having a disease (they do not have to be ill to infect other people).

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN INFECTIONS & DISEASES?

An infection is often the first step of a disease and occurs when either bacteria, viruses or microbes enter the body and start multiplying. The disruption of normal body function or structure, especially when signs and symptoms appear, is considered disease (as long as the cause is not the result of a physical injury).

Genital Herpes is a common STD, and most people with genital herpes infection do not know they have it.

Genital & Anal Warts, also known as condyloma acuminata, are growths of bumps that may be raised or flat, single or multiple, small or large. They range from pink to dark brown in color. Some cluster together forming a cauliflower-like shape.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV), including genital warts, occurs commonly in sexually active men and women of all ages, races, and sexual orientations. Infants can be infected by their mothers during birth, but this is rare.

TREATMENT: STIs, GENITAL HERPES, WARTS

There are many different opinions about how to treat genital warts. The goal of treatment should be to remove visible genital warts and get rid of annoying symptoms. While it is not proven, a person should be less contagious after effective treatment. Cryotherapy (freezing off the wart with liquid nitrogen) is a relatively inexpensive and effective treatment in many cases and is excellent if there are only a few warts.

If you are concerned that you’ve recently possibly contacted a sexually transmitted infection or disease; you doctor should check all potentially exposed sites. For example, if you’ve had anal sex, your doctor should check your rectum. If you’ve had oral sex, your doctor should check your throat

Never assume that your doctor automatically checks for STIs or STDs when you visit. You have to ask which tested you are getting. If you’re worried and you think you need a test, simply ask for it to be completed.